Folding recreational boards

ABSTRACT

Recreational boards are disclosed that include a first segment having a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first side surface that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the board when the board is in a folded-out configuration, as well as a second segment having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, and a second side surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board when the board is in the folded-out configuration. The recreational boards can further include a first connector associated with the first side surface of the first segment and a second connector associated with the second side surface of the second segment. The first connector is configured to be engaged with the second connector when the first side surface of the first segment is brought adjacent to the second side surface of the second segment.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/012,846, filed on Jun. 16, 2014, entitled FOLDING RECREATIONAL BOARDS, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure generally relates to board devices for various recreational activities.

2. Description of Related Art

Recreational boards can be used for a variety of recreational activities, such as paddle boarding, surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and/or the like. Some recreational boards can be relatively large and/or cumbersome to carry, store and transport.

SUMMARY

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a recreational board including a first segment having a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first side surface that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the board when the board is in a folded-out configuration, and a second segment having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, and a second side surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board when the board is in the folded-out configuration. The recreational board may further include a first connector associated with the first side surface of the first segment and a second connector associated with the second side surface of the second segment. In certain embodiments, the first connector is configured to be engaged with the second connector when the first side surface of the first segment is brought adjacent to the second side surface of the second segment.

The recreational board may further including a hinge at least partially connecting the first segment to the second segment. The hinge may be a coating covering at least a portion of the first and second top surfaces. In certain embodiments, the hinge is associated with the first top surface and the second top surface and allows the first and second segments to be folded together such that the first top surface and the second top surface substantially face one another. In some embodiments, the first hinge is associated with the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface and allows the first and second segments to be folded together such that the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface substantially face one another.

The recreational board may further include a third segment having a third top surface, a third bottom surface, and a third side surface, as well as a third connector associated with the third side surface of the third segment and a fourth connector associated with a fourth side surface of the second segment, the fourth side surface being positioned substantially opposite the second side surface. In certain embodiments, the third connector is configured to be engaged with the fourth connector when the third side surface of the third segment is brought adjacent to the fourth side surface of the second segment.

The recreational board may further include a strap configured to connect at a first end to one of the first and second connectors and at a second end to one of the third and fourth connectors. The recreational board may further include a pouch configured to hold the board when the board is in a folded-up configuration such that the first, second and third segments are stacked together. In certain embodiments, the pouch includes a plurality of backpack straps and a pocket configured to hold a detachable skeg member configured to be detachably fixed to the first bottom surface or the third bottom surface.

In certain embodiments, the recreational board further includes a detachable skeg member configured to be detachably fixed to the first bottom surface or the third bottom surface. The recreational board may be one of a surfboard, snowboard or paddleboard. In certain embodiments, the first and second connectors include Velcro connector structures. In certain embodiments, the first and second connectors include snap connectors.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide a process of folding-out a recreational board. The process may include providing a first board segment having a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first side surface, the first side surface having a first connector associated therewith and providing a second board segment having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, and a second side surface, the second side surface having a second connector associated therewith. The process may further involve brining the first side surface of the first board segment adjacent to the second side surface of the second board segment and engaging the first connector with the second connector.

In certain embodiments, bringing the first side surface adjacent to the second side surface includes operating a hinge associated with the first top surface and the second top surface. The hinge feature may include a coating layer covering at least a portion of the first and second top surfaces.

The process may further involve providing a third board segment having a third top surface, a third bottom surface, and a third side surface, the third side surface having a third connector associated therewith and brining the third side surface of the third board segment adjacent to a fourth side surface of the second board segment, the fourth side surface having a fourth connector associated therewith. The process may further involve engaging the third connector with a fourth connector associated with the fourth side surface of the second board segment.

In certain embodiments, the process further involves connecting a strap at a first end to one of the first and second connectors and at a second end to one of the third and fourth connectors, the strap being dimensioned to be placed around the arm of a user. The process may further involve inserting the first, second and third board segments into a pouch in a stacked configuration. In certain embodiments, the process further involves detachably fixing a skeg member to the first bottom surface or the third bottom surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the inventions. In addition, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to indicate correspondence between reference elements.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of front and side views of a segmented paddle board in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a segmented paddle board according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the segmented paddle board of FIG. 2A in a folding configuration according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the segmented paddle board of FIGS. 2A and 2B in a folded configuration according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 3A provides a perspective view of a folded segmented recreational board in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of a strap that may be configured to connect to one or more portions of a recreational board according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 3C illustrates a user carrying a recreational board according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein

FIG. 4 shows a carrying case according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 5A shows a foldable snowboard according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

The view of FIG. 5B shows a foldable snowboard according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 5C provides a view of a folded-up snowboard according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

FIGS. 6A-6L provide cross-sectional views of recreational boards in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While certain embodiments are described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the scope of protection.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of front 100A and side 100B views of a segmented paddle board in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein. The section 102 may be a front third section of the board. This section may be different lengths and thickness depending on the total length of the full board. In certain embodiments, the sections of the board may be made at least in part of a foam core and attached by a coating and a fastener. The front section 102 may be attached to the center section 104 of the board by a fastener or the coating on the board may at least partially bind the two sections together. The tip of the front section 102 may be rounded in certain embodiments. The side view 100B shows a tapering upward toward the middle of the front section of the board shown on the side view. This section may have a foam core with a coating on top, and may allow for the section to remain attached even when folded.

The center section 104 of the board may be any suitable or desirable length and/or thickness, depending on certain factors, such as the total length of the full board. In certain embodiments, one or more sections of the board comprise a foam core and are attached by a coating and/or a fastener, such as one or more hinges, Velcro connectors, snap connectors, and/or the like.

Connectors and/or fasteners as disclosed herein may be implemented on, or associated with, any desirable surface of a recreational board or segment/section thereof, such as on a side surface, bottom surface, top surface, and or combination thereof. Furthermore, connectors/fasteners may be of any type. In an embodiment, a connector structure includes a substantially-rigid elongate structure configured to be connected to and/or splint two or more sections/segments of a recreational board together. The terms “section” and “segment” are used herein according to their broad and ordinary meaning and may be used substantially interchangeably with regard to certain embodiments to refer to any sub-piece, portion, component, partition, sub-section or other part of a board or other component, either as a stand-alone piece, or at least partially integrated piece of a larger whole.

The center section 104 may be attached to the back section 106 of the board by a fastener/connector, or a coating on the board may be configured to bind the front section 102 to the center section 104 and the back section 106 to the center section 104. The terms “fastener” and “connector” are used herein according to their broad and ordinary meanings, and may be used substantially interchangeably with respect to certain embodiments to describe any member, form, or structure configured to at least partially secure one piece, member or component of a recreational board to another. When the front section 102 is attached and the back section 106 is attached and the sections are unfolded, the board may form a substantially solid one-piece board, as shown.

The back section 106 of the board may be any suitable or desirable length and/or thickness, depending on certain factors, such as, for example, the total length of the full board. In certain embodiments, the back section 106 comprises a foam core and is attached by a coating and/or a fastener/connector. The back section 106 may be attached to the center section 104 of the board by a fastener. Alternatively, the coating on the board may bind separate sections pf the board together. For example, the coating may act as a hinge-like feature, allowing the various segments of the board to be folded with respect to one another. The tip of the back section 106 may be tapered as shown on the top view of the board 100A, and may be tapered upward as shown on the side view of the board 100B. This section 106 may comprise a foam core with a coating on top, which may allow for the section to remain attached when folded.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a segmented paddle board 200A, wherein all sections are attached. The board 200A may have one or more folding sections, depending on the length of the board. The section 202A may be a front section of the board, and may have a slight taper at the front of the section. The thickness of the sections of the board 200A may vary depending on, for example, the length of the board. The section 204A may be a center section of the board, and may have a substantially consistent thickness from end to end. The thickness may vary depending on, for example, the length of the board. The section 206A may correspond to a back section of the board, which may have a slight taper upward at the back of the section. The thickness of the back section 206A may vary depending on, for example, the length of the board. The back section 206A may have a skeg associated therewith at the bottom of the back section, which may be either fixed or detachable.

As shown, the back section 206A of the board may be tapered at the end of the section. A folding section 203A may be configured to detach and hold the front 202A and center 204A sections together to create a solid board. This folding section may be at any location of the board depending, for example, on the length of the board. The folding section 205A may be configured to hold the center 204A and back 206A sections together to create a solid board. This folding section may be at any location of the board depending on, for example, the length of the board. The folding section 203A may include a side surface of the first section 202A and side surface of the second section 204A, wherein a connector associated with each of the side surfaces may be engaged with one another to at least partially hold or secure the sections/segments together. The folding section 205A may include similar features to the folding section 203A and may hold/secure the segment 204A and the segment 206A together.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the segmented paddle board of FIG. 2A in a folding configuration. The illustration shows three sections. However, the board 200B may include any number of sections/segments, depending on the length of the board and/or other considerations. This illustration also shows possible folding directions of each of the sections. While certain folding directions are shown, it should be understood that recreational boards in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may have any folding direction/side configuration. In certain embodiments, the particular folding configuration of FIG. 2B may provide the most strength of the board when it is unfolded and secured to each section. The section 202B may be the front section folding upward, wherein the section 202B may be configured to lie flat on top of the center section 204B (see FIG. 2C). The section 204B may be the center section that the front section 202B is folded and laid on top of. When folded, the various sections may remain attached by the coating, which may help keep the various sections from separating. The section 206B may be the back section folding downward, which may be configured to lie flat on bottom of the center section 204B.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the segmented paddle board of FIGS. 2A and 2B in a folded configuration. FIG. 2C shows the detachment of the fastener(s), which may allow for the front section 202C to be folded and the back section 206C to be folded. The front section 202C and center section 204C may be attached at the top to keep a permanent attachment between those sections. The center section 204C and the back section 206C may be attached at the bottom to maintain attachment between those sections by the coating and the back and the center may be attached at the bottom by the coating. This may allow for the various sections to fold onto the center section 204C and remain attached. The view 200C shows the detachment of the fastener, which may allow for the back section 206C to be folded under the center section 204C, wherein the coating may at least partially keep the various sections together when folded.

The view 200C further shows the detachment of the fastener which may allow the front section 202C to be folded on top of the center section 204C, wherein the coating may at least partially keep the various sections together when folded. The view 200C further shows the detachment of the fastener that may allow the front section 202C to be folded on top of the center section 204C and the back section 206C folded at the bottom of the center section 204C, wherein the coating may at least partially keep the various sections together when folded.

FIG. 3A provides a perspective view of a folded segmented recreational board 300A in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein. The folded board 300A includes a front section on top of a center section, and a back section below the center section. The view of the board 300A shows the front section folded on top of the center section, with one or more fasteners/connectors 315 associated with a side surface of, for example, top and center segments of the board 300A. The view of the board 300A shows the center section, with front section folded and lying on top of the center section, as well as the back section folded on the bottom of the center section with one or more fasteners between the fold. Additional fasteners/connectors (not shown) associated with side surfaces of the center and bottom segments may be exposed on the opposite side (not shown) of the board 300A.

FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of a strap 317 that may be configured to connect to the existing fasteners/connectors (e.g., 315) on side surfaces of the board segments (e.g., between the folds of one or more segments/sections), which may allow for the folded board to be carried like a backpack (see FIG. 3C). FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a foldable board carrying apparatus 300C being worn by a user. The strap(s) 317 may be attached to the fasteners on the folded board 300C, which may allow for the folded board 300C to be carried like a back pack for easy carrying.

FIG. 4 shows a carrying case 440, including one or more carry straps 417. The carrying case may include one or more pockets 442. In certain embodiments, the folded board 400 may relatively easily slide into the carrying case 440. In certain embodiments, the pocket 442 is configured to hold a skeg 409, which may be detachable from the board 400.

FIG. 5A shows a foldable snowboard according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the snow board 500A comprises foam and/or a coating. The coating may connect the two sections when folded. The board 500A may be configured to be folded in half with fasteners. The board 500 may form a substantially solid board when the board is unfolded and the fasteners are connected. The section 502A may be a front half section of the board 500A, which may be tapered upward in the front. The thickness of the various board sections may vary depending on, for example, the length of the board. The portion 503A may be a fold portion, which may be in the center of both the front section 502A and the back section 506A. The section 502C may be a back section of the board 500A, which may be tapered upward in the back. The view of FIG. 5B shows the snow board 500B and the fold 503B in the center, wherein the bottom of the fold portion 503B may be connected with a coating. FIG. 5C provides a view of a snowboard folded in half for easy carrying and storage.

FIGS. 6A-6L illustrate cross-sectional views of recreational boards according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. Although certain dimensions, ratios, and/or configurations are illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6L, it should be understood that recreational boards having any suitable or desirable shape or configuration may be implemented within the scope of the present disclosure.

Additional Embodiments

Depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or functions of any of the processes or algorithms described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether. Thus, in certain embodiments, not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the processes. Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events may be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or via multiple processors or processor cores, rather than sequentially.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is intended in its ordinary sense and is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous, are used in their ordinary sense, and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, element, etc. may be either X, Y or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y and at least one of Z to each be present.

It should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Moreover, any components, features, or steps illustrated and/or described in a particular embodiment herein can be applied to or used with any other embodiment(s). Further, no component, feature, step, or group of components, features, or steps are necessary or indispensable for each embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the inventions herein disclosed and claimed below should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A recreational board comprising: a first segment having a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first side surface that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the board when the board is in a folded-out configuration; a second segment having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, and a second side surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board when the board is in the folded-out configuration; a first connector associated with the first side surface of the first segment; and a second connector associated with the second side surface of the second segment; wherein the first connector is configured to be engaged with the second connector when the first side surface of the first segment is brought adjacent to the second side surface of the second segment.
 2. The recreational board of claim 1, further comprising a hinge at least partially connecting the first segment to the second segment.
 3. The recreational board of claim 2, wherein the hinge comprises a coating covering at least a portion of the first and second top surfaces.
 4. The recreational board of claim 2, wherein the hinge is associated with the first top surface and the second top surface and allows the first and second segments to be folded together such that the first top surface and the second top surface substantially face one another.
 5. The recreational board of claim 2, wherein the first hinge is associated with the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface and allows the first and second segments to be folded together such that the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface substantially face one another.
 6. The recreational board of claim 1, further comprising: a third segment having a third top surface, a third bottom surface, and a third side surface; a third connector associated with the third side surface of the third segment; and a fourth connector associated with a fourth side surface of the second segment, the fourth side surface being positioned substantially opposite the second side surface; wherein the third connector is configured to be engaged with the fourth connector when the third side surface of the third segment is brought adjacent to the fourth side surface of the second segment.
 7. The recreational board of claim 5, further comprising a strap configured to connect at a first end to one of the first and second connectors and at a second end to one of the third and fourth connectors.
 8. The recreational board of claim 5, further comprising a pouch configured to hold the board when the board is in a folded-up configuration such that the first, second and third segments are stacked together.
 9. The recreational board of claim 7, wherein the pouch comprises a plurality of backpack straps and a pocket configured to hold a detachable skeg member configured to be detachably fixed to the first bottom surface or the third bottom surface.
 10. The recreational board of claim 1, further comprising a detachable skeg member configured to be detachably fixed to the first bottom surface or the third bottom surface.
 11. The recreational board of claim 1, wherein the board is one of a surfboard, snowboard or paddleboard.
 12. The recreational board of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors comprise Velcro connector structures.
 13. The recreational board of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors comprise snap connectors.
 14. A method of folding-out a recreational board, the method comprising: providing a first board segment having a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first side surface, the first side surface having a first connector associated therewith; providing a second board segment having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, and a second side surface, the second side surface having a second connector associated therewith; brining the first side surface of the first board segment adjacent to the second side surface of the second board segment; and engaging the first connector with the second connector.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said brining the first side surface adjacent to the second side surface comprises operating a hinge associated with the first top surface and the second top surface.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the hinge comprises a coating layer covering at least a portion of the first and second top surfaces.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: providing a third board segment having a third top surface, a third bottom surface, and a third side surface, the third side surface having a third connector associated therewith; brining the third side surface of the third board segment adjacent to a fourth side surface of the second board segment, the fourth side surface having a fourth connector associated therewith; and engaging the third connector with a fourth connector associated with the fourth side surface of the second board segment.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising connecting a strap at a first end to one of the first and second connectors and at a second end to one of the third and fourth connectors, the strap being dimensioned to be placed around the arm of a user.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting the first, second and third board segments into a pouch in a stacked configuration.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising detachably fixing a skeg member to the first bottom surface or the third bottom surface. 